New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-06-11
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAILBAG.
THE:ATLANTUs-"T OF HEAVEN"
ITS INTRODUCTION. GROWTH AND sPREAD-A
REMINIsCENCE.

ITS INTRODUCTION. GROWTH AND sPREAD-A
"REMINISCENCES.
To the Edffor OF The TrtbnnG
SIR: l some enthusiasm" tusy musy," Mr
Greeley used to say-is arising I'm reference to the
allantus tree. Perhaps some Of your hafcentury
rca1lers-lko mysef-wOuld be gratlhed by sheht
rcminlscence Of Its Introduction, growth and Spread
and tho half century necessary ascertain Its char
actor and qualities.
Tho Mlantus glandulosa introduced into Eu-
rope about 171G from China, of which country 1t Is
native. In 1884 Mr. William Hamllton-notcd Tor
his botanical pursuits and collection planted ono In
his garden at Woodlands, Philadelphia. In 1906 a
seacapain brought the plant from China and gave IL
10 gentleman of Providence r. L., and 1t has since
spread largely I'm that State In 1920 that prince OF
arborcuiturc, Mr. william Prince, of Flushing, Ia L.,
noting with business eye Its capacities and It's
adaptation TO tho soil Of this-cven then-rapldly
growing city, imported It from Europe, and from Its
rapid growth and beautiful foliage 1t was readily
adopted by the wealthy residents Of the newly opened
thcn uptown streets. vauxhall Garden, opposite
tho HaymarIct in the "Dowxe" was soon graced
oy Its presence AMI Its history. BOnd-st followed,
then ClinOn-place, University place and Fihh-ave,
where at this present day they can be counted by
scores along and In the interior Of every block d.
vergng from these streets. Wherever they have
been planted street shade trees subsequently, their
growth and spread have been rapid witness Licking
ton-ave Their beautiful frondlIke foliage, which
lasts fresh and green and perfect late into the fall
their quick growth to maturity, the exceeding beauty
when In blossom OF the female tree. the selfplantng
and selfcarc have probably permitted indulgent In
OF this foreign tree
And now may speak word to the questloner2
The Alantus elandulosa IS poly gamOus, has three
vaTfetes-the male tree, having stainens only tho
female, having plstils only. The male and female
flowers have each their separate tree though both
may be sometimes found on the same tree. The tree
has lts sterile and fertile years notably the lenae
which numbers about ten per cent. The male hOwers
whitlsh green, very profuse, often covering
tho ground, highly OdOrOus and poisonous, ana
smell Ike animal cfiuvia containing phosphorus. a
single NJ tho entrance Of the public garden In
Geneva, Switzerland, when in blossom, emits a
nauscating odor pcrcevablc at distance OF quarter
of a mile. What then Of the baleful influence upon
tho health Of infants and the delicate when hundros
of these be counted within that radius The
June blossoms toward the last Of the month and CON
tnues I'm blossom four or hvo weeks me
female blossoms In september and when In iilii
flower Is very beautiful. Tho profuse male BOSOM
IL poisonous TO very many persons anh us noNOuSi
pungrnt doors greatly aggravac any disease, onen
causing fastening death, among the aged, inc
feeble and Infants especially. That IL l. great fac-
Tor I'm disturbing the human system unfavOrabY my
observation and experience prove No bird VIII nest
among It's branches Insect VIII feed upon us
foliage vegetation Will flourish under Us shallow,
but will be retarded under It's influence The deadly
Persian Insect powder Is said 10 be composed 81 us
pollen The culture and spread Of this tree has been
more ~ a nuisance than acquisition. G. CURTIS
I,rt Inn.